To: COATBRIDGE AND DISTRICT LOCAL AREA PARTNERSHIP

From: HOUSING & SOCIAL WORK SERVICES STRATHCLYDE POLICE STRATHCLYDE FIRE & RESCUE

Subject: JOINT COMMUNITY SAFETY REPORT

Date: !ith April 201 1 I Ref:

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3.1

Introduction

The purpose of this report is to update members of the Coatbridge and District Local Area Partnership on developments with the current joint work taking place between Strathclyde Police, Housing and Social Work Services and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue for the period from December 201 0 to February 201 1,

Background

The Government's 'Promoting Positive Outcomes: Working Together to Prevent Anti- social Behaviour in Scotland, National Framework for preventing anti-social behaviour, has allowed the wider public sector to move in the same direction, work together as equal partners and importantly, allow collective contribution from all the public sector partners.

Tackling anti-social behaviour contributes to all five of the Government's strategic objectives but primarily supports making our communities safer and stronger by focusing on National Outcomes 9 ( we live our lives free from crime, disorder and danger) and 11 (we have strong, resilient and supportive communities where people take responsibility for their own actions and how they affect others).

Statistical Information

The report includes information from each of the partners and a ward by ward summary of notable incidents. Appendix 1 shows the hotspot map for the Coatbridge area, Appendix 2 Housing & Social Work Services information, Appendix 3 Strathclyde Police statistics and Appendix 4 the tactical assessment from Strathclyde Fire & Rescue.

With reference to Appendix 2, anti - social case numbers shows a 4% reduction in the number of complaints, with the majority of these complaints consisting of noise nuisance.

Mediation referrals have increased for this period. The team have resolved 2 neighbour disputes which will prevent the need for further action to be taken, and there are currently 4 active cases in ward 6 and 2 active cases in ward 10. Noise again is most common complaint type being referred to the team.

RubbishEecondary fires have seen a reduction over this reporting period, with a total of 20 such incidents within the Coatbridge Wards due to the ongoing partner agency work through the CSSG meetings.

There were 15 malicious calls made during this period originated within the Coatbridge Wards.

False alarms due to equipment are an ongoing SFR issue that with the help of Partner Agencies we strive to reduce. Within this period the Coatbridge Wards have been responsible for 69 unnecessary blue light journeys. Initiatives are ongoing in an attempt to further reduce these unnecessary journeys. With serial offenders being lettered and then visited if necessary.

Over the reporting period SFR attended a higher number of flooding incidents due to the thaw which followed the severe weather experienced during December.

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4. Ward by Ward Reports

Town Centre

Police are still operating a “Safe Zone” in the town centre on Friday and Saturday nights through until 4a.m. The standard of the stewarding is to a good standard and the joint working with the police has resulted in a rise in detections for assaults while the instance of assaults has fallen.

Our dedicated Town Centre Officers have been very successful in deterring shoplifting and have made some notable arrests regarding forged bank notes and unusual modus operandi for thefts and frauds.

The previous drug culture within the town centre continually attempts to reassert itself however we are meeting it head on with deterrents and arrests.

We are continuing with our enforcement of illegal and inconsiderate parking in the town centre area.

Town head

The Public Reassurance project in Townhead was started in February 2009 in response to an unacceptable level of issues affecting the community. We carried out a Public Consultation exercise and the community told us their personal issues and those which they believed affected their community.

The Police and our partner agencies, along with their representatives, set to work to address these issues which you re-evaluated periodically.

The following results show the commitment of the Action Group: Crimes in Townhead have reduced by 24% and Incidents by 33% in the last 6months in comparison to the first 6 months of the project.

Complaints to the police have decreased by 52%, reports of Drinking in Public Places have decreased by 59% and Housebreakings by 85%.

Youth involvement in reports from you has fallen from being 35% of all incidents to 18%.

Whilst we are aware that youth disorder is still an issue in parts of Townhead it has been decreased in Leven Road by 66% and in Morar Crescent by 90%.

In relation to Drug taking the reports from you have decreased by 75% and in relation to Road Safety there has also been a reduction in incidents.

We are not resting on our laurels and we will continue to address these issues and new ones as they arise. Communication in this respect is vital and we have encouraged the community to continue to report incidents to the partner agencies and their representatives.

The overall level of anti-social behaviour within the Townhead area continues to be low in comparison to previous reporting periods. Youth disorder, although seen by the local community as a concern, has decrease significantly across the Townhead area and particularly in Morar Crescent / Carron Place which historically has been an area of concern .

The majority of complaints received from within the Townhead area consist of noise nuisance and have been mostly within the Witchwood Court tower block. Anti-Social Investigators have initiated appropriate actions against the offenders.

The area continues to be subject to monitoring by the locality action group who meet every 6 weeks. The members of this group continue to agree actions to address any issues raised and have been pivotal in the improvements within the area.

Summerlee

The Action Group for Summerlee has been working for about a year now and we have made some notable successes.

Regular pro-active visits to both adult and youth offenders continue to take place to ensure any anti-social behaviour is monitored and managed.

The previous high instance of Anti Social Behaviour particularly in the Corsewall Street corridor has in the main been reduced.

Following on from the last report a joint initiative between Housing & Social Work Services and Strathclyde Police had been carried out to address anti-social behaviour and crime within the Auldhame Street area. As a result of this, a number of offenders have moved from the area and the level of complaints, particularly in relation to anti-social behaviour, has decreased. The actions taken have been positively received by the local community and all agencies will continue to review and agree any future action required through the local action group.

An individual within Corsewall Street who had been a major source of alarm and distress within the local community has following the granting of a full Anti-Social Behaviour Order, submitted notice to terminate his tenancy. This property will now be re-let in strict adherence to the Council’s Allocation Policy.

The above actions have contributed to a reduction in the level of anti-social complaints within the Summerlee area.

Cliftonville

The area around Albion Street and Albion Rovers Football Club has been subject to some Anti Social Behaviour and we have recently carried out a Community Safety Survey Report which has been submitted to the Community Council for their consideration.

We have also spoken to the youths allegedly involved and including them in our Restorative Justice work. They are involved with CL&D in a Youth Group on a Tuesday night and are now involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme.

This area has also seen a decrease in anti-social activity and in line with other areas; noise nuisance continues to be the main source of complaints. The tower blocks at Jackson Court, Dunbeth Court and High Coats continue to receive a significant level of management input between all community safety partners and are subject to 6 weekly meetings to address any problems that arise.

The tower blocks are also subject to a pilot initiative between Police and Housing Services to identify any perpetrators of noise nuisance who have been reported to police. This will allow proactive visits and appropriate action to be taken. This initiative currently relates to noise nuisance, but if successful, will be expanded to other activities.

Anti-Social Investigators have been successful in obtaining two Anti-Social Behaviour Orders within Cliftonville with one tenancy being reduced to a Short Scottish Secure Tenancy as a result. The other tenant has submitted notice to terminate their tenancy. A number of tenancies within the area have had notice of proceedings served due to anti- social behaviour.

A child protection referral has also been submitted due to concerns with a child’s welfare.

Drumpellier

Traffic issues continue to of the main concern and our officers have been addressing this utilising the “Falcon” Speed Camera, mainly deterring motorists from driving at excessive speed.

Ga rts her r ie

Auldhame Street (2-34) which had been subject to a high instance of Anti Social Behaviour and Crime over the preceding period was very successfully addressed and through excellent multi agency working we were able to almost eradicate all instances.

Highcoats

There have been some localised issues within the towers and a new working practice between the Police and The Housing Department has ensured that issues are quickly and robustly addressed.

Dunbeth

Police are continuing to patrol Dunbeth Park and surrounding streets for anti-social activity particularly in the early hours of the weekend.

Parking continues to be an issue and we are present and taking action against speeding vehicles and illegal parking when we can.

Green hill

Joint visits between the Police and the Housing Department continue at Coltswood Tower and have proved successful and the instance of youth disorder in the graveyard and in the industrial area has subsided.

Glenboig

Police are addressing parking issues near the roundabout and will continue to issue Fixed Penalty Tickets. Speeding vehicles on the main road is being tackled using the “Falcon” Speed Camera.

We are currently addressing issues surrounding parking in the Garnqueen Crescent area.

One tenancy, which had previously caused concern within The Oval, has been receiving intensive support to assist in sustaining the tenancy. This support is intended to address issues which have been contributing towards anti-social complaints and distress to near- by residents. In general the Glenboig area has does not have significant levels of anti-social complaints being reported.

On the 1st of February, a 57 year old adult male tragically died following a fire at his home in Muiryhall Street. A multi agency Case Conference took place as a result of this incident.

Ward 9

Langloan

Intelligence work on drug dealing activities in the Langloan area was completed and actioned. Positive searches under warrant recovered quantities of amphetamine and cocaine with persons being reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

Community Policing officers and uniformed response policing officers continue to conduct directed patrols in the Langloan and Dundyvan areas in order to address anti social behaviour. Issue of youths consuming alcohol and abusing substances within closes in Langloan have been addressed through plain clothes operations and directed patrols at peak times. These patrols and operations have resulted in a marked reduction in incidents for both complaints and disturbances from the previous 6 months.

The Time Capsule has seen a rise in youth disorder and fighting recently which impacts on elderly residents within James Dempsey Gardens and Court. Community Officers have committed static high visibility patrols where possible and an action plan is currently in place for weekends.

Partnership working has continued with joint interviews over neighbour disputes which have resulted in a considerable percentage of overall complaint calls. These are being addressed at present to identify a solution suitable to all parties concerned.

The Langloan area does not have significant anti-social issues being reported, however there a few high profile cases continuing to be monitored by both Housing and Strathclyde Police. The main source of concern continues to be estate management issues with refuse being dumped and tenants and residents failing to maintain a clean environment by effectively using their bins for refuse disposal. Extensive resources have been applied to this area in an attempt to resolve these issues including clean up days and other agencies assisting e.g. Cleansing Services and Restorative Justice.

The area continues to present challenges in this respect and Housing staff will continue to address the issues presented.

Kirkwood

The Kirkwood area has relatively low levels of anti-social behaviour being reported. Housing and Social Work Services continue to work together to target properties where complaints are received. The primary focus for directed patrolling of Police in the Kirkwood area continues around the shops in Woodside Street and some of the housing above the shops there.

Intelligence led operations on drug dealing activities resulted in a house in Kirkwood being searched under Sheriff Warrant whereby a male was reported to the Procurator Fiscal for being concerned in the supply of 475gms of amphetamine, a class B drug.

Community officers are liaising with letting agents and landlords in an effort to combat vandalisms in closes and garden areas and promote and improve a cleaner and presentable environment. Community officers are also collaborating with their colleagues in Bargeddie to target those attending Showcase area intent on anti social behaviour.

No significant issues exist within this area and Housing Advisers and Anti-Social Investigators continue to liaise well with Community Police to address any issues of concern.

One resident has been served with a notice of proceedings due to continuing anti-social behaviour relating to complaints of noise nuisance, violence and racial harassment. Housing Services and Strathclyde Police continue to monitor this situation.

Old Monkland

Main area of calls for disturbance and anti social behaviour is in and around the park area where youths are reported for these activities. Searches and interaction with youths has taken place on these occasions without incident. The park area in general has been quiet over the winter months with no major complaints received.

Community Police officers will continue to target the park via high visibility patrolling and are looking to liaise with partners for possible diversionary projects

A spate of housebreakings in the area has been attributed to one individual recently released from prison and returned to the area. The male was identified and arrested and appeared in court for several crimes.

Bargeddie

Community officers in the Bargeddie area have been proactively targeting anti-social behaviour and alcohol fuelled disorder. Quick response and presence has seen a drop in complaints and disturbances on previous six months figures.

The showcase cinema complex remains a focus for youth disorder and fighting between groups from Bargeddie and Kirkwood area. Directed patrols at peak times continue to focus on disrupting area used for drinking and gathering in preparation for violence.

Community officers have been engaging with local schools on a speeding initiative involving primary school children to highlight the dangers of speeding and parking at and near schools to drivers.

Ward 10

Shawhead

Despite Anti-social behaviour occurring in this area there is still a shortfall of formally reported incidents with regard to youth disorder within the blocks of flats at Pentland Court, Tinto Court, Ettrick Court, Campsie Court and Cheviot Court.

Continuing collaboration is being undertaken between Strathclyde Police and Housing & Social Work Services. Despite relatively low reports of youth disorder and anti-social behaviour from householders, the local information received suggests that this continues

to be an area of concern for local residents. Therefore consultation with the Tenant & Resident group and local residents is being sought to target those who continue to disturb the residents on a regular basis. Warnings will be given in the first instance with a follow up involving more serious actions should behaviour not improve.

Community Policing officers and uniformed response policing officers continue to conduct directed patrols in the Shawhead area in order to address anti social behaviour and are also policing licensed premises to prevent drink related anti social behaviour being conducted here.

The focus of anti-social behaviour continues to be centred on the low rise flats at Tinto, Nevis, Killin Courts etc. The main problems include youth disorder and street drinking but mainly concern noise nuisance. Action plans which were formed between Strathclyde Police and Housing Services to address these issues, have been in place for a period of time and some progress in terms of tackling these problems has been made. These Action Group continues to meet every 6 weeks to review the level of anti-social behaviour and agree actions to be pursued to address these concerns.

A number of visits to offenders have been carried out with warnings being issued where appropriate.

Whifflet

Anti-social behaviour in and around Whifflet has been of a concern in recent weeks, focused mainly around the public houses in Whifflet Street. With the additional number of ‘Old Firm’ games this season and with the recent spotlight on the behaviour of fans on match days, increased patrols have been arranged to ensure that anti-social and violent behaviour is kept to a minimum. Those known to have been involved in Anti-Social Behaviour on match days a have been visited and warned regarding their conduct that day.

Kirks haws

An increase in anti-social activity by youths in the areas of Souterhouse Park and the commercial premises on Woodside Street has been identified by local community officers whilst on patrol. To ensure this issue is being suitably policed and addressed, high visibility cycle and foot patrols are being deployed with the remit of causing disruption to any instances of Anti-social behaviour.

Another issue which has arisen is the behaviour of residents who engage in anti-social conduct whilst within their homes. Joint collaboration between police and housing staff in association with local residents has allowed the individuals concerned to be dealt with appropriately. Individual residents have been subject to visits and verbal and written warnings have been issued. This is subject to further monitoring and is still currently being considered for a joint initiative with community safety partners.

Again the level of reported anti-social behaviour being reported remains low within the Kirkshaws area as a whole. The main sources of complaint have been within Mossneuk Street and Douglas View. Anti-Social Investigators have been actively tackling these problems including letter drops to a number of blocks in Douglas View to offer support and promote the importance of reporting any anti-social behaviour. As a consequence, a number of tenancies have been issued with warnings and one tenant in Douglas View has been issued with an Anti-Social Behaviour Order and another tenancy in Mossneuk Street has been served with a notice of proceedings.

Sikeside / Greenend

High visibility patrols continue to patrol areas of regular complaint, and under age drinkers have been targeted throughout ward 10 with regular visits to licensed premises incorporated into directed patrol plans.

Community officers for the area continue to monitor youth disorder and street drinking in Sikeside and Greenend. In this respect community police for Greenend and Sikeside have been meeting with officers from Community Learning and Development to help improve facilities for young people and to create diversionary activities all year round.

The area has not presented any major concern in relation to anti-social behaviour recently; however a significant anti-social problem did develop within Cumbrae Place. This related to noise nuisance, vandalism and threats to neighbours from the occupants and visitors to a particular tenancy. Early intervention by Housing and Social Work staff and external support agencies resulted in the matter being resolved to all parties’ satisfaction.

5. Promoting Positive Outcomes

As mentioned earlier in the report Housing Services, together with Strathclyde Police, continue to work closely in tackling areas of concern within the local community and have undertaken a number of joint ventures to address these. One of these is the pro-active disclosure of noise complaints to Strathclyde Police within a local tower block. This information is discussed with housing staff to allow early intervention to take place.

Investigators and Housing Advisors continue to promote the use of our Mediation Service however, not all cases are appropriate, nor do those involved; all wish to take part in this process.

It should be noted that an Investigator in the Coatbridge area trained in mediation has been appointed as one of six Volunteer Mediators to deal with cases across North Lanarkshire, and is currently assisting with Mediation cases allocated to her by the Mediation Co-ordinator

Information sharing sessions continue between Mediation Officers and Housing staff and are proving to be beneficial.

Victim Support continues to be utilised to offer support and assistance to victims of anti social behaviour.

Housing and Social Work Services, together with partner agencies, continue to participate in the Youth Offender Forum although the youths presently discussed as part of this forum are not known to be participating in anti-social behaviour.

Community Wardens continue to work throughout Coatbridge and provide a useful link between the Housing and Social Work Services, partner agencies and the local community. They continue to assist in a number of tasks such as cleaning areas as part of special projects, removal of graffiti and reporting communal repairs.

Housing Services staff continue to promote fire safety as part of their new tenant settling- in visit, and referrals are passed to SF&R to allow this to take place.

Housing and Social work staff along with officers from Strathclyde Police meet with representatives from the local tenants and residents groups on a 6 weekly basis to discuss areas of concern and exchange information, ideas and good practice. Additionally, this has been an excellent forum in providing an understanding of how each organisation works, their remit and responsibilities and promoting community safety.

Police Officers attended the Pathfinder Project which was a weekend residential course with 11 high tariff male offenders 13-16 years of age. It was a challenging course for all involved but evaluations showed that the majority of the boys took positives from the course and there were positive learning opportunities for the Police, Social Worker and Youth Worker.

The subsequent weekend 8 girls from Coatbridge attended along with girls from Airdrie and also completed the course successfully.

Our Restorative Justice project under the “NAE Bother” campaign saw 17 boys 13-17 years attend Shotts Prison where the boys were introduced to the realities of life in Prison. During the event the boys were spoken to by 3 long-term prisoners who spoke of not only life within the prison but also on what led them to prison and their lives when they were of a similar age. The day was very enlightening and will hopefully give the boys something to think about when they make choices in the future.

Home Fire Safety Visits Free Home Fire Safety Visits have continued to be carried out by Operational personnel from Coatbridge Community Fire Station during the reporting period. At these visits Firefighters carry out a risk assessment of the home and offer advice on how to stay safe from fire. Any resident who would like one of these invaluable visits and associated guidance should contact Coatbridge Community Fire Station on 01236 423321.

Cut it Out -

Continuation of the successful Road Safety Education project, conducted for Sixth Form students. 23 out of the 24 North Lanarkshire secondary schools partake in the project, including all Coatbridge secondary schools.

Fire Reach

Fire Reach is a full week long course which introduces key elements of Fire & Rescue training, both practically and through curricular activity. The programme works through modules including the essential elements of first aid, use of operational equipment, such as hose and ladders, all within a disciplined environment. Separate weeks are held for boys and girls courses and two or three school are mixed together on courses to help aid harmonisation in localities. As above, 23 out of the 24 North Lanarkshire secondary schools partake in the project, including all of the Coatbridge area. A ‘junior’ version of the course is currently under development to be operated on a one-off three hour basis. St. Augustine’s of Coatbridge participated in this successful pilot course.

Fire Setters

A range of referrals from partners and agencies including Strathclyde Police, Social Work and Restorative Justice, together with internal referrals from fire service crew personnel result in an education programme conducted for youngsters who have become involved in fire raising or dangerous driving related instances in the community. Usually two sessions are held conducted by two members of SFR staff who talk over issues and educate young people to the dangers they are causing themselves, to their families and to the community. Coatbridge Social Work acts as one of the major referral agencies for North Lanarkshire and SFR Station Commander Stuart McQueen recently promoted the service with a leaflet distributed to local partners which explained the workings and benefits of the service. 7 youngsters from the Coatbridge area have received this input.

Advocates

Training has recently been provided to a range of outside agencies including NHS, Social Work and Housing personnel by SFR staff including our Community Safety and Advocates teams. The training is in relation to the promotion of referrals leading to Home Fire Safety Visits and the requirement for potential joint working in the case of Vulnerable Persons.

North Lanarkshire Deaf Community

SFR have been involved in on-going development work with the local Deaf Community to help ensure that they have the required specialist alarm equipment in their homes.

School Talks and Community Attendance

Regular talks and attendances have been arranged at a range of schools, colleges and community groups, including a large number in readiness for Guy Fawkes Night.

Nursery School Packs Packs which include DVD educational resources on the theme of fire and home safety together with children sized fire-fighters clothing have recently been purchased and will be made available to local nursery school at forthcoming launch events.

6. Recommendation

6.1 It is recommended that members of the Local Area Partnership:

(i) Note the contents of the report

North Lanarkshire Council - Housing & Social Work Services Strathclyde Police Strathclyde Fire & Rescue 6th April 2010

I Actions Taken Ongoing Cases

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New Corn p la i n ts

Appendix 3

Strathclyde Police Statistical Information

WARD 6

Total No. Storm incidents - 2485 Total No. CR’s - 522 Total No. detected CR’s - 269 Total No Serious Assaults - 5 Total No. Serious Assaults detected -2 Total No. Vandalisms - 65 Total No. Theft by HB’s (dom) - 9 Total No. Theft by HB’s (non dwelling) - 0 Total No. Theft by HB’s (other) - 5 Total No. CR’s for Street drinking - 6 Total No. Anti Social behaviour FP’s 109

WARD 9

Total No. Storm incidents - 1235 Total No. CR’s - 246 Total No. detected CR’s - 110 Total No Serious Assaults - 3 Total No. Serious Assaults detected - 0 Total No. Vandalisms - 55 Total No. Theft by HB’s (dom) - 3 Total No. Theft by HB’s (non dwelling) - 5 Total No. Theft by HB’s (other) - 5 Total No. CR’s for Street drinking - 2 Total No. Anti Social Behaviour FP’s - 19

WARD 10

Total No. Storm incidents - 1374 Total No. CR’s - 277 Total No. detected CR’s - 119 Total No Serious Assaults - 7 Total No. Serious Assaults detected - 2 Total No. Vandalisms - 49 Total No. Theft by HB’s (dom) - 11 Total No. Theft by HB’s (non dwelling) - 7 Total No. Theft by HB’s (other) - 2 Total No. CR’s for Street drinking - 5 Total No. FP’s for Street drinking - 26

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